Check out dives this weekend!

[dmoore19]

Congrats! to whoever that is. Now is when it starts getting fun.

Not that it is a requirement but, I have a couple of computers. I hate the idea of being on a trip to a warm clear water location and having to sit out for 24 hours because my computer died and the multiple dives I did are beyond limits for tables. If you are going to dive tables you will have a great time anyway.

In other news, who's got 2 fins and a temporary c card?

 

[SteveBF]

Sweet!! Annnd now the real learning begins!!! The best thing you can do is dive, dive and dive some more.... If finances are tight get a inexpensive computer like a suunto zoop or an oceanic veo and a cheap watch ... I keep my Plastic RDP in my BCD (that's my back up computer).

Have fun... Btw... I grew up I'm MD... Love the eastern shore!!

 

[tamas970]

Congrats for the new cert!
As for gear: you do have redundancy if you computer fails: your buddy's computer. If you don't swim a lower profile all the time (=always below him) and extend your safety stop with 4-5 minutes, than you are certainly fine. just get one decent nitrox computer and make sure the battery is OK. (Careful, batteries deplete quicker in cold).

Suit is also a good-to-have, even if you fly to dive. If you do coldish dives a semidry may be a good idea.

 

[button]

Thanks everyone! I am planning to get my AOW certification soon as well, maybe in a few weeks if my husband-buddy is off work (he's a DC fireman, so working around his schedule can be tough). We are getting the materials to do it now, it's just a matter of scheduling the certification dives. So I will likely be one of those people with AOW certification before any "real" diving. My ultimate goal is to achieve at least my PADI Rescue certification so that I can be more responsible for myself and my buddy.

All of that said, do you all think that we should buy computers before our wetsuits? Our instructor suggested getting integrated/console computers instead of independent/wrist mount (I hope that's the correct terminology). Any thoughts on that?

---------- Post added October 1st, 2013 at 11:30 AM ----------

Sweet!! Annnd now the real learning begins!!! The best thing you can do is dive, dive and dive some more.... If finances are tight get a inexpensive computer like a suunto zoop or an oceanic veo and a cheap watch ... I keep my Plastic RDP in my BCD (that's my back up computer).

Have fun... Btw... I grew up I'm MD... Love the eastern shore!!

Thanks for the advice, Steve! What part of Maryland did you grow up in? I'm in Denton, MD. Grew up here, then moved to the Baltimore area for about ten years, then came back to the shore after my dad died and fixed up my childhood home with my then fiance now dive buddy-husband.

 

[tamas970]

Thanks everyone! I am planning to get my AOW certification soon as well, maybe in a few weeks if my husband-buddy is off work (he's a DC fireman, so working around his schedule can be tough). We are getting the materials to do it now, it's just a matter of scheduling the certification dives. So I will likely be one of those people with AOW certification before any "real" diving. My ultimate goal is to achieve at least my PADI Rescue certification so that I can be more responsible for myself and my buddy.

All of that said, do you all think that we should buy computers before our wetsuits? Our instructor suggested getting integrated/console computers instead of independent/wrist mount (I hope that's the correct terminology). Any thoughts on that?

It usually a debate if one should wait and collect a few dives before AOW. Anyway, more training never hurts some schools even offer a combined ow+aowd+nitrox course.

As for computer: I personally prefer wrist mounts, that I can carry a full SPG (compass+analogue gauges) for backup -> as an engineer I don't believe in electronics. I don't know much about renting on your side of the Ocean, over here in Europe if you rent "full equipment" it means everything BUT computer. Besides, it's good to have a computer that you're familiar with. Point: do not spend more than 250$ on a computer! The basic models do everything a recreational divers need.

 

[button]

It usually a debate if one should wait and collect a few dives before AOW. Anyway, more training never hurts some schools even offer a combined ow+aowd+nitrox course.

As for computer: I personally prefer wrist mounts, that I can carry a full SPG (compass+analogue gauges) for backup -> as an engineer I don't believe in electronics. I don't know much about renting on your side of the Ocean, over here in Europe if you rent "full equipment" it means everything BUT computer. Besides, it's good to have a computer that you're familiar with. Point: do not spend more than 250$ on a computer! The basic models do everything a recreational divers need.

Yes, I've read some of the debates on here about new divers going right into their AOW courses. Just because I'll have my AOW cert, I'm not planning on diving to 100 feet on dive #10 or going out and doing a night dive with just me and my buddy. I just want the extra information. My instructor always does the same dives for AOW: Peak Performance Buoyancy, Underwater Navigator, Search and Recovery, Night Dive, and Deep Dive.

I think that most of these specialties will be useful, even for a new diver... especially the PPB!

That is also my thinking with getting a computer first... I'd rather be familiar with that piece of equipment. I shouldn't have any trouble figuring out how the rental gear works, but a rental computer could be a challenge.

I'm thinking of going wrist mount. Our instructor's reasoning for console is that sometimes divers will tighten their wrist mount computers at depth (since the wetsuit compresses and the wrist mount gets looser) and then have a rather unpleasant ascent when their circulation gets cut off! I hope that I would have the mental fortitude to remember not to tighten my computer if it gets loose on my arm.

 

[beaverdivers]

I'm thinking of going wrist mount.

Agreed! In your situation, a wrist mount makes sense because you are renting the rest of your gear.

 

[dbulmer]

My advice would be to spend your money first on a decent wetsuit ie one that fits you comfortably. Either buy very cheap knowing you might have to replace it in the not too distant future OR buy a wetsuit at the higher price range.

A computer is of little practical value to you if you are uncomfortable in what you wear in the water. The basic functions of a computer are the same for all - what distinguishes the more expensive computers is their handling of mixed gas ie Nitrox, Trimix, the quality of the display and whether they are fashionable or not.

A basic timer/computer is all you really need at this stage so again go very cheap or higher than mid range prices.

 

[cocoajoe]

After nearly six weeks out of the pool, I finally get to do my check out dives for OW this weekend!

I am SOOO excited. Can't wait to take that # of dives from "None - Not Certified" to "1-25."

Like all new divers, I want to go out and buy all of the fun new toys. I just got my bonus from work today and it is burning a hole in my pocket!!! However, I am going to exercise patience for once and slowly compile gear. My first planned purchase will be a wetsuit and my second will be a dive computer. I'm also thinking of getting a dive watch... anyone have suggestions for a cheap dive watch?

Type in 'joe diver', click 'dive watches', scroll down to 'best selling', click on 'St. Moritz Orange Roughy' $100.47. I have one myself & recommend it. Small case (you don't need another thing taking up space....dive computer, compass) Looks great w/orange dial. Had this one for almost 3 years with original battery.

---------- Post added October 1st, 2013 at 01:12 PM ----------

If you're on this board very long, you'll hear from people saying wait till you have more dives before AOW. Don't listen, dive every chance you get....just don't think you're 'advanced' in a meaningful way. That will come with experience.

---------- Post added October 1st, 2013 at 01:23 PM ----------

Umm, no. Don't scrimp on computer. I learned the hard way, get one that you can 'grow' with. Highly recommend Shearwater Petrel. $900 but you'll never need another one. I paid $500 for my first one and it (Dive Rite Nitech Plus) was the worst mistake I ever made. Was obsolete when I got it. I guess what I'm trying to say is, sometimes cheap is anything but in the long run.

 

[SteveBF]

Thanks for the advice, Steve! What part of Maryland did you grow up in? I'm in Denton, MD. Grew up here, then moved to the Baltimore area for about ten years, then came back to the shore after my dad died and fixed up my childhood home with my then fiance now dive buddy-husband.

I grew up in Southern MD (St. Mary's County) on the western shore of the bay. I lived in Towson for a few years for college then set off to see the world! I prefer my computer to be on my consol... I did have it as a wrist mount but kept forgetting to strap it on... doh!